Man airlifted to hospital after HGV and car crash on A37 at Prowles Cross

A MAN is fighting for life in hospital after a crash which caused road chaos for Dorset motorists.

The A37 between Yeovil and Dorchester was closed following the collision on Friday which involved an HGV articulated lorry and a Ford Focus car. The route was reopened about 8pm last night.

The driver of the Ford Focus, who police said suffered ‘life threatening injuries’, was airlifted to hospital from the scene. He continues to be treated in hospital and is understood to have undergone surgery.

Residents described their shock after hearing the crash and witnessing dozens of emergency services’ personnel attend the scene.

The crash happened just over the Somerset border at Prowles Cross, Closworth, near the turning to Ryme Intrinseca.

Dorset Police, Avon and Somerset Police, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, local authorities and fire crews from both Dorset and Devon & Somerset were involved in the rescue operation.

Police said they were alerted to the incident by a member of the public at 2.15pm on Friday.

The lorry driver was treated at the scene for back injuries.

A man who had been in the Ford Focus was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by the air ambulance with serious, life-threatening injuries.

Resident Tony Robinson described how the car crashed into his garden and shed, destroying his model railway collection which was worth thousands of pounds.

Mr Robinson said: “I was outside in my garden when I heard a big smash.

“I ran round and could see that the lad wasn’t in a good way.

“I ran inside and told my wife to call the emergency services.”

Mr Robinson said he had lived in the house for around 26 years and it was the first time his house had been affected by a smash.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, described hearing ‘a massive thump’ before running outside.

She said the air ambulance landed in a field behind her home.

The collision caused travel disruption for the rest of the afternoon, with the A37 closed at the A352 Charminster junction in the south and at the Quicksilver Mail roundabout in Yeovil to the north.

Large vehicles were diverted via Blandford and Bridport.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were alerted to reports of a road traffic accident between a car and a lorry.